Volvo gears up with I-Shift

Truck drivers really lie at the heart of a vehicle’s efficiency … but technology makes this task a lot easier. According to Volvo Trucks, its FH series will have seamless gear changes thanks to I-Shift Dual Clutch – which will be launched around September this year.

“In situations that require a lot of gear changes, for instance on hills or roads with lots of curves and bends, I-Shift Dual Clutch brings an entirely new dimension to truck driving,” explains Claes Nilsson, president of Volvo Trucks. “Here at Volvo Trucks we are immensely proud to be able to offer this innovation to our customers.”

I-Shift Dual Clutch, as the name suggests, is based on Volvo’s I-Shift gearbox – but the front half has been redesigned with new components. It consists of two input shafts and a dual clutch, which means that two gears can be selected at the same time.

Astrid Drewsen, product manager for drivelines at Volvo Trucks, adds: “When driving, it feels like you have access to two gearboxes. When one gear is selected in one gearbox, the next gear is already prepared in the other. With dual clutches, gear changes take place without any interruption in power delivery. As a result, engine torque is maintained and driving comfort is significantly improved.”

Transmissions with dual clutches are already used in cars, but Volvo Trucks claims that it is the first manufacturer in the world to offer a similar solution for series-produced heavy vehicles.

“For trucks, this gearbox will truly make a major difference to driveability,” says Drewsen. “The heavier the transport and the tougher the operating conditions, the more you will gain with I‑Shift Dual Clutch. Power-shift gear changes, where there is no interruption in power delivery, means it is easier to keep up with traffic, especially on tricky stretches of roads.”

I-Shift Dual Clutch also makes a big difference when transporting moving (such as animals) or liquid cargoes (for example,  tanker operations), since the seamless gear changes prompt less movement in the cargo itself.

“In addition to efficient driving, the smooth gear changes also mean that the in-cab environment feels quieter,” says Drewsen.

I-Shift Dual Clutch will be available on the Volvo FH with Euro-6 D13 engines.